Police have seized £1,000 of cocaine from the driver of a stopped car in Wickford - after finding him hiding in the footwell of another vehicle. 

Officers from the Basildon community policing team saw a vehicle emitting a large amount of smoke and made attempts to stop the vehicle, however it failed to stop.

It was found abandoned later in Nevendon Road.

A police spokesman said: "There was no sign of the driver, a search was conducted of the vehicle and surrounding area during the search a large bag of drugs were found in a tree close by.

"Police officers continued to search for the driver who was found hiding in the footwell of another vehicle.

"He was arrested and taken to custody, a further search of his premises was conducted and large a quantity of cocaine was found and seized.

"The drugs he disposed of have been recovered for forensic investigation, as well as over £1,000 seized from him."